I hear their cries. Do you hear them too? The silent tears. The screams that shatter the night. I was once one of them. Millions of women the world over. Violence in the home. Fear in love. There is no fear in love. I know what it's like to be married with a broken heart. Revolution in my soul came and I am getting stronger, getting freer by the day.
Amnesty Int'l has found that 1/3 women in the world is a victim of beating, rape, torture or attack. That is one too many. There is something that we can do. I'm hosting a BBQ on my patio to raise money to support Amnesty's struggle to end violence against women. What will you do?
There is so much we can do, all we have to do is act. One person can affect change in the world. It can simply be the act of smiling at a stranger, hugging a family member.It can be donating money to a charity or going to help in a local soup kitchen or volunteering overseas in a medical clinic or an orphanage. It is as personal and individual as you are. Use your gifts and talents for the good of the world. Don't hide your light!
"Let's be our own best friends" (Jewel), believe in ourselves and the power that we have to effect change and good in this world. Our screams do not have to be silent any longer. There is help. There are people who care. "Just take me as I am or have nothing at all." Mary J Blige. "Hold your head high cuz you were created women.... girl, just be yourself." Mary J Blige.
The photo on the right is the word "Believe" tattooed in white ink on my arm... forever. There are so many meanings to be interpreted from that one word. The most significant meaning for me is the reminder to believe in myself. "If it doesn't feel right, then it isn't right for you."
Amnesty facts:
Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic.
Violence affects the lives of women everywhere, cutting across boundaries of wealth, race and culture. In the home and the community, in times of war and peace, women are beaten, raped, mutilated and killed with impunity.
At least one out of every three women has been beaten, forced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Every year, millions of women are raped by partners, relatives, friends and strangers, by employers and colleagues, soldiers and members of armed groups.
The World Health Organization has reported that up to 70% of female murder victims are killed by their male partners. The violence affects women in different ways depending on factors such as their income, who controls it, social status, occupation, ethnicity, religion and sexuality.
http://www.amnesty.ca/campaigns/svaw_overview.phpSome Canadian stats on Violence against Women:
How is Violence Against Women Defined?
Acts that result, or are likely to result, in physical, sexual and psychological harm or suffering to a woman, including threats of such an act, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life.
The Impact of Violence on Women's Health
Violence is a major factor in women's health and well-being. The measurable health-related costs of violence against women in Canada exceed $1.5 billion a year. These costs include short-term medical and dental treatment for injuries, long-term physical and psychological care, lost time at work, and use of transition homes and crisis centres.
Current Situation
Statistics Canada's 1998 report Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, which analysed data provided by 154 reporting police agencies, shows that:
women continue to outnumber men nine to one as victims of assault by a spouse or partner;
in 1996 half of all family homicides involved spouses; between 1977 and 1996, three times as many women were killed by their spouses as were men killed by their spouses; girls are at greatest risk of sexual assault by a family member while between 12 and 15 years of age; in 1996 nine of ten crimes committed against older adults by family members were physical assaults.
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